Anyone tracked an m30 swapped car?

[Jb325is]

I'm working on transforming my e30 into more of a dedicated track car and less of a street car and I'm wondering if there's anyone out there tracking an m30 car regularly? I'm really worried about the e28 radiator not being able to keep the car cool on the track. I never really thought about this before but after being around racing a lot more lately I've realized that it might be a pretty big problem, I'm almost considering swapping to something else. Anyone that can speak from experience?

[browntown]

It "should" cool just fine, I think the biggest issue is when sitting or if you never completely got rid of air in your system. I understand there is a lot of sitting in racing though, so that might be an issue.

I guess it matters if we're talking autocross, road racing or other.

I think the hardest part about racing a m30 swap is that it puts you in an unlimited or modified class that pits you against much more able competition.

[Jb325is]

I wouldn't be racing it wheel to wheel, just doing DE's and open track days. I have a huge fan and it doesn't overheat while sitting but I just don't know if the e28 radiator is big enough to keep it cool for sessions in the heat.

[jim325]

Is your radiator clean? Fins free to let air flow through the radiator? Not a lot of bent fins or debris obstructing flow?

I think cooling the M30 is more of a fan issue than a radiator issue.

I replaced my old as heck 535i radiator with a brand new behr unit and the cooling ability got WAY better. BUT mine looked like it was green and 80% of the fins were blocked by green fungus/dirt/crap.

In SC the only days I worry is 95+ degree and traffic. By traffic I mean stopped in the road for more than 5 minutes. I tend to beat the crap outta my car and it has never got too hot when moving. I have a tiny no name cooling fan tho.

[kronus]

I run a B35 e30 in endurance races (lemons) and we haven't had radiator-based cooling issues at speed with the fan off, although we typically keep it on.

You will want to make sure your radiator cap is 1.2bar, your radiator is not plugged up with dirt, and your water pump is fresh.

[CorvallisBMW]

We run a 3.5 in LeMons/Chump as well and have had zero cooling issues at all (aside from when the WP belt snapped and the coolant hose on the back of the head let go, showering the inside of the car, and me, with boiling hot water. firewall fail! )

[Bearmw]

I would look into what Alpina did in their most beastly track oriented early m30 cars. On a non-turbo car I imagine an E28 radiator in good shape would suffice. Ducting around the radiator in addition to fan function is important as I'm sure you know.

[chance]

I would be more worried about the rockers, if you havent changed them out for HD ones

[gtv-ts]

I have three track days under my belt this year with my e30 m30. In an unrelated issue I needed to change the radiator and went with a 190$ aluminum e36 unit that Turner sells. Never over heats. Runs like a champ! The torque this motor gives is awesome.

This last weekend at Sebring (crazy hot track temps) started getting a coolant warning light and found that I was loosing a bit of coolant. I have yet to diagnose the cause but the temp never got over the 1/2 way mark.

Sebring - not particularly fast laps
video

Sebring Cold Pits


Homestead




Pre radiator upgrade

[Grand525]

Internal cooling system should be clean and rust free, before you spend more on electric fan and radiator.

If this is a track dedicated car, use mix of water-wetter and distilled water only, without antifreeze fluid.

[kronus]

I would be more worried about the rockers, if you havent changed them out for HD ones

+++

we blew 4 last time, still finished 15th on 3 cylinders :mrgreen:

[CorvallisBMW]

huh, we've never blown a rocker and our motor was like $100 at the junkyard

[kronus]

yeah i think i set the valves too loose and then stayed on the revlimiter for the entire sears point straight accidentally.

so don't do that.

[gtv-ts]

I read Kronus' post and broke out into cold sweets (not really) I am glad you clarified it. LoL

You have to be careful with the oiling system, I blew my m30b35 last year because of oil starvation... I was doing an oil change and after draining the old oil I realized I had not bought any new oil. I thought to myself, the auto parts store is just a mile down the road I can get there in less then 2 min and just add the new oil there.

[chance]

I read Kronus' post and broke out into cold sweets (not really) I am glad you clarified it. LoL

You have to be careful with the oiling system, I blew my m30b35 last year because of oil starvation... I was doing an oil change and after draining the old oil I realized I had not bought any new oil. I thought to myself, the auto parts store is just a mile down the road I can get there in less then 2 min and just add the new oil there.

Damn! I woulda walked lol!